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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #205028
Title: A brief introduction to avian influenza virus

Author
item Spackman, Erica

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/12/2007
Publication Date: 3/1/2008
Citation: Spackman, E. 2008. A brief introduction to avian influenza virus. In: Spackman, E., editor. Avian Influenza Virus Methods. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. p. 1-6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Avian influenza (AI) is caused by a type A influenza virus isolated from and adapted to an avian host. This chapter covers the basic physicochemical aspects of AIV including; virus family and properties, subtype classification; basic molecular biology and genetics. The avian host range and ecology of the virus in waterfowl is mentioned. Finally the features of the disease in poultry is described. The goal of this chapter is to give the minimal virological and biological background for the reader to understand the methods presented in the following chapters.